Cards and devices with multifunction magnetic emulators and methods for using the same

Abstract

A payment card (e.g., credit and/or debit card) is provided with a magnetic emulator operable of communicating information to a magnetic stripe reader. Information used in validating a financial transaction is encrypted based on time such that a validating server requires receipt of the appropriate encrypted information for a period of time to validate a transaction for that period of time. Such dynamic information may be communicated using such an emulator such that a card may be swiped through a magnetic stripe reader—yet communicate different information based on time. An emulator may receive information as well as communicate information to a variety of receivers (e.g., an RFID receiver).

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device comprising:
 an emulator operable to provide a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader with magnetic stripe data while located outside of said magnetic stripe reader, wherein said emulator is fabricated on a PCB; and 
 a processor for controlling said emulator, wherein switching circuitry is operable to be utilized by said processor to control said emulator to provide said magnetic stripe data. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is thicker than a credit card. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is a wireless communication device. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is a portable telephonic device. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is a portable media player. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a display operable to display a virtual card. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a touch-sensitive display operable to display a virtual card. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an RFID operable to electrically couple to a RFID reader. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an RFID operable to electrically couple to a RFID reader, wherein the processor is operable to drive the emulator to electrically couple to the read-head and then to drive the emulator to electrically couple to the RFID reader after driving the emulator to electrically couple to the read-head. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an RFID receiver detector. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said magnetic stripe data includes dynamic code. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said magnetic stripe data includes a payment number and a dynamic code. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the RFID is operable to receive electrical power. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a rechargeable battery, wherein the battery is operable to be wirelessly recharged. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a touch-sensitive display; and 
 a rechargeable battery, wherein the battery is operable to be wireless recharged. 
 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said magnetic stripe data includes a payment card number. 
     
     
       17. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an RFID operable to communicate RFID data, wherein said magnetic stripe data and said RFID data is associated with payment card information and said RFID data is communicated from the RFID before said magnetic stripe data is communicated from said emulator. 
     
     
       18. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said PCB comprises FR4.